Pane Bella Take Away   The trouble is, you think you have time.–Buddha     When I moved into my neighborhood almost fifteen years ago, I discovered the most intoxicatingly delicious and perfectly convenient, walkable bakery, Pane Bella. Pane Bella had a ciabatta loaf (flat-ish bread) like my tongue-buds had never known. You can bet … Read more

Collage: What is Real Sept. 6, 2018   I didn’t open my eyes to look at the orange numbers on the digital clock, so I can’t tell you what time it was, but I do know it was still dark when I heard the familiar sound of my coffee mug being placed onto the stone … Read more

Varroommm with a View     You are what you eat.   You are what you do.   For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.*   You are what you think about.     We may not all agree on these statements about personal responsibility. For example, there are at least … Read more

Offended on a Love Seat   If you’ve ever been offended by someone, this might be for you:   The five-day finale to our three-week European trip was a Mediterranean cruise compliments of John’s company. It was the morning of our last full day and we had arrived at the port near Rome. Sitting quietly … Read more

I’m Wrong, You’re Wrong   “Finally, we begin to see that all people, including ourselves, are to some extent emotionally ill as well as frequently wrong, and then we approach true tolerance and see what real love for our fellows actually means.  It will become more and more evident as we go forward that it … Read more

Open Mind, Open Mine   A closed mind is a dying mind. – Edna Ferber   I’ve grown a lot from listening to the Brooke Castillo podcasts. I don’t agree with everything she says and no doubt she wouldn’t agree with everything I say. That’s cool.   I’m proud to say that I’ve changed my … Read more

“They Brought it on Themselves!”   That line is only one of many repeated ad nauseam. It’s spouted like it’s an original thought. Like the people who—when they find out my last name is Capone—ask, “Any relation to Al?” or like when John and I were in the elevator on the Azamara Quest cruise ship a … Read more

Ida Liked to Meet Her     Standing on the Ponte Sisto Bridge in Italy not two weeks ago, I was listening to a couple of street musicians—one guy with a standard guitar and the other with what I’d call an ukulele.   John was not far, but still back at I Dolci Di Nonna Vincenza … Read more

The Voices Missing in the Debate   My mom tells me that when she brought me home, I cried.   And cried.   And cried.   I was inconsolable for a couple of years, she says. It was hard for her. But she hung in there. I was an 18-month old, separated from my biological … Read more

Job Hazards of a Professional Unpaid People Watcher: The Decorum Chapter     Stepping on the escalator at LAX headed for passport control and customs–and ultimately to the upper echelon of Global Entry–I noticed If-you-like-my-body-and-you-think-I’m-sexy Rod Stewart so close I could reach-out-and-touch-him. I didn’t, of course. Pullease. I have some sense of decorum.   John … Read more